A receptacle for cremated remains

ABSTRACT

A receptacle for storing cremated remains, the receptacle comprising an elongate hollow tower, means for securing the tower in the ground, a lockable cover or door for getting access to the interior of the elongate hollow tower wherein a plurality of cremated remains holders can be stacked on another.

The present invention relates to a receptacle for cremated remains.

More and more cremations of human or animal remains are taking placenow, as cremations are now fully accepted by many of the major religionsfor funerals and also for social and economic grounds. However a problemexists with securing a final resting place for a loved one's crematedremains.

Traditional graveyards are not properly able to deal with crematedremains. Some graveyards offer small plots for burying the remains inthe ground and some others provide walls having places for receiving thecremated remains.

However land in graveyards is limited and plots for cremated remainstake up a lot more space than is actually needed. Also the wall storagesystem is very cluttered and offers little privacy to persons visitingthe site.

There is therefore a need to provide a system by which local authoritiesand owners of graveyards can provide a simple, effective, inexpensivebut secure means of storing cremated remains.

The present invention provides a receptacle for storing crematedremains, the receptacle comprising an elongate hollow tower, means forsecuring the tower in the ground, a lockable cover or door for gettingaccess to the interior of the elongate hollow tower wherein crematedremains can be placed within the tower. Optionally a plurality ofcremated remains can be accommodated, for example a plurality ofcremated remains holders can be stacked on another (within the tower).

The means for securing the tower will secure it in an upright position,for example by securing the tower in an upright position on the ground,for example by the means for securing anchoring itself in the ground. Itwill be appreciated that within the present invention the receptaclecould be secured to a support or base which is itself directly orindirectly supported on the ground. The present invention includes sucharrangements and reference to being secured in the ground should not beconstrued so as to exclude such arrangements

The means for securing can be any suitable means and is not limited tothose described herein.

Desirably the tower is modular, so that it can be extended as desired.In this way its holding capacity can be increased. So, for example, as agroup of people, such as a family, can have their remains within areceptacle of the invention, and the receptacle's capacity can beextended whenever required to accommodate further remains. This meansthat associated people, for example, a family, can add remains atdifferent times. Yet the remains can all remain together. This may beachieved without having to buy a plot of land, for example such as aburial plot. A burial plot may be dimensioned to accommodate at leastone coffin and as such may be much larger than is required for crematedremains.

The tower itself may itself be formed by a series of modular units.These modular units may allow accommodation of additional remainsholders such as urns within the tower. These modular units may each be areceptacle, in which remains are (directly) placed.

Any modular units may be stacked one on the next.

Where the tower is modular, it can be extended by one or more modularunits such as an extension part.

Desirably the tower comprises modular units which are stackable.

A receptacle of the invention may comprise a base part, and a closurepart; and an extension part, and the extension part fits between thebase part and the closure part to extend the height of the receptacle.

A receptacle of the invention may comprise a base part, a cap part; andan extension part, and the extension part fits between the base part andthe closure part to extend the height of the receptacle and the cap fitsto the extension part to close the receptacle.

A receptacle of the invention may comprise a base part, a cap part; anda plurality of extension parts, and the extension parts fit between thebase part and the closure part to extend the height of the receptacleand the cap fits to an extension part to close the receptacle. Forexample a plurality of extension parts fit together and also fit betweenthe base part and the closure part to extend the height of thereceptacle and the cap fits to an (uppermost) extension part to closethe receptacle.

A receptacle according to any preceding claim wherein the means forsecuring is an anchoring means, for example an anchoring bolt for thetower.

The tower may accommodate one or more remains holders such as secondaryreceptacles, for example urns, which hold the remains.

The tower may be formed by modular units, for example modularreceptacles, optionally wherein each receptacle is for holding remains.

Each of the modular units may add height to the tower.

The modular units may be formed by one or more side walls that define aperipheral wall, for example an annular wall. The modular units may beopen at each end. The modular units may have a support at one end, forexample to form a support such as a floor on which a remains holder suchas a receptacle can be placed. It will be appreciated that the supportmay take any form such as a continuous floor, a series of supportmembers such as cross members or an annular lip or rim or combinationsthereof.

Where the tower is modular one or more retaining collars may be providedto hold two modular units together, for example in a stackedarrangement. The retaining collars may be holding rings.

Desirably where the tower comprised parts which stack vertically to formthe tower those parts interconnect for example by having a lower end ofone part interfit with another. For example one part may overfit anotherin a male-female interconnection.

In one arrangement one part of the tower, for example a lower part, hasan upstanding wall or rim on a top end thereof that is insertable intoand engages with a receiving portion on the bottom end of a second part.

Desirably the tower comprises at least two parts, a base part and a cappart.

Preferably, an identification means is provided on the exterior surfaceof the tower so that the identity of the interred deceased person oranimal is visible.

An identification means may be in the form of a band which is attachedto the tower and optionally the band is positioned against the remainsof the particular person. Desirably the band extends across a front faceand onto at least one side face for example at least two side faces. Tothe extent the tower has no side faces, for example is circular then itis desirable that the band extends about the tower past that part of atower that is seen in a front elevational view. For example at least 120degrees about a central vertical axis of a tower, such as at least 180degrees.

Advantageously, the tower is cylindrical in shape. Alternatively, thetower may be of cube, cuboid, hexagonal prism, triangular prism or othershape. Reference to the tower being cylindrical in shape should not beseen as limiting.

The identification means may be in the form of a sleeve which fits overthe tower and the sleeve is positioned against the particular remains,for example of the particular person.

The identification means may be in the form of a placque which isattached to the tower. Preferably the placque is positioned on theoutside of the tower and/or against the particular remains, for exampleof the particular person. A placque can be removed and/or repositioned.

Preferably, the receptacle is manufactured from stainless steel, forexample polished stainless steel. Of course other materials can be used.Different finishes and colours can be utilised.

The receptacle of the invention is weatherproof—it protects the remainsheld within it from atmospheric elements such as wind and rain etc.

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described withreference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings which show by wayof example only one embodiment of a receptacle for cremated remainsaccording to the invention. In the drawings:—

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a receptacle inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a series of perspective views of the receptacle of FIG. 1 andportions thereof;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the receptacle of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of an embodiment of a receptacle inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the receptacle of FIG. 4 from in frontof and above thereof;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view through a cover of the receptacle of FIG. 4(along the line A-A as indicated in FIG. 4);

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the receptacle of FIG. 4 (along the lineB-B as indicated in FIG. 4);

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the receptacle of FIG. 4 withthe cover of the receptacle removed;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the receptacle of FIG. 4 withthe cover of the receptacle removed and an extension (modular) unitbeing added;

FIG. 10 is sectional view of a receptacle of the invention with tworemains holders in the form of urns in place within the receptacle;

FIG. 11 is sectional view of the receptacle of FIG. 10 with the cover ofthe receptacle removed and an extension (modular) unit being added;

FIG. 12 is sectional view of the receptacle of FIG. 11 with the cover ofthe receptacle and an extension (modular) unit added with three remainsholders in the form of urns in place within the receptacle; and

FIG. 13 is a front elevation of an embodiment of a receptacle inaccordance with the invention for accommodating two sets of remains;

FIG. 14 is a front elevation of an embodiment of a receptacle inaccordance with the invention for accommodating three sets of remains;

FIG. 15 is a front elevation of an embodiment of a receptacle inaccordance with the invention for accommodating four sets of remains;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a receptacle of the invention from infront of and above thereof;

FIG. 17 is a front elevation of the receptacle of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view through a cover of the receptacle of FIG. 16(along the line A-A as indicated in FIG. 17);

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the receptacle of FIG. 16 (along the lineB-B as indicated in FIG. 17);

FIG. 20 is a front elevation of an embodiment of a receptacle inaccordance with the invention for accommodating two sets of remains;

FIG. 21 is a front elevation of an embodiment of a receptacle inaccordance with the invention for accommodating three sets of remains;and

FIG. 22 is a front elevation of an embodiment of a receptacle inaccordance with the invention for accommodating four sets of remains.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 initially, the receptacle for cremated remains100 comprises a cylindrical base 102, an elongate cylindrical tube 104,one or more sleeves 106 slidably engaged on the tube 104 and an uppercap member 108. An anchor bolt 110 is provided at the bottom of thecylindrical base 102 so that the receptacle can be securely anchored,for example, in a concrete base.

The cremated remains of deceased persons in their individual holderssuch as caskets or containers (not shown) for example urns, are stackedone on top of each other until the tube 104 is full. A sleeve 106 ismarked up as appropriate to identify the deceased person and locatedadjacent the casket or container containing their remains.

The base of the tube 104 is securely fixed to the cylindrical base 102and cannot be removed when in situ. The upper cap member 108 isremovable to allow access to the inside of the tube 104 but is securelylocked in position to prevent unauthorised access.

In FIGS. 4 to 8 a receptacle of the invention for cremated remains 100is formed in two parts, an elongate hollow tower 120 and a cap member108.

The hollow tower 120 has a base or lower end 122 and sidewall(s) 124.

A base end or floor 123 (best seen in FIG. 7) closes the lower end 122of the tower. In the floor 123 are defined (three) apertures 125 whichare used to securely anchor the receptacle 100 in an upstandingposition, for example in the ground or to a base. It will be appreciatedthat any number of apertures, for example one or more can be providedfor this purpose.

For aesthetic purposes an optional rim 127, such as an engraved rim, maybe provided.

A placque 130 is provided on the sidewall 124. It is held in place by(four) screws or bolts 132—one at each corner of the placque 130.Typically this placque 130 would provide identification means on theexterior surface of the tower 120 so that the identity of the interreddeceased person(s) is visible. Generally there will be one placque perremains.

An additional or alternative identification means is provided on theexterior surface of the receptacle 120. This takes the form of a band136. The band 136 optionally extends about the receptacle beyond thepart of the receptacle 100 that is visible in an elevational view. Forexample in the elevational view of FIG. 4 band 136 extends beyond thevisible front surface of the receptacle 100. It extends around the sideswhere those parts of it which extend around the sides are not visiblefrom a front elevational view.

The band 136 may for example also provide identification means on theexterior surface of the tower 120 so that the identity of the interreddeceased person(s) is visible. It can be used in addition to, or insteadof, one or more placques.

The band 136 may be provided with identification means for exampleinformation which identifies the family name. So, for example the bandmay have a family name while the or each placque may be provided withfurther identification means such as one or more of first name; date ofdeath, etc. The band is held in place by suitable fixing means forexample two fixing means such as fixing screws 137 (best seen in FIG. 6)which fix it to the receptacle 100.

An upper cap member 108 is provided to close the top end 128 of thetower 120. Optionally, and as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 to 22,a band 136 may be provided on a cap member 108.

As best seen from FIG. 8 the cap member 108 has a closed (upper or top)end 140 and an open mouth 142 at a lower end thereof defined bysidewall(s) 109. A rim 144 about the mouth 142 engages with anupstanding wall or rim 126 on a top end 128 of the side walls 124 of thetower 120 so that the tower top end of the tower is insertable into andengages within the upper cap member 108.

Again as best seen from FIG. 8, apertures 129 (three apertures) areprovided in the tower 120 (and in particular in the upstanding rim 126)and (three) corresponding apertures 145 are provided in the rim 144 ofthe cap member 108. Locking means such as locking screws 147 (two areseen in FIG. 4 and a third is seen in FIG. 6) are provided to lock thecap member 108 in place. The screws 147 fit through the respectiveapertures 129 and 145 thus locking the cap member in place. The capmember 108 thus forms a lockable cover for getting access to theinterior of the elongate hollow tower.

As best seen in FIG. 10 an anchor bolt 110 is provided at the bottom ofthe tower 120 so that the receptacle 100 can be securely anchored in anupright position, for example in a concrete base 150. An anchoring bolt110 can be provided for each of apertures 125 in the floor 123 thusrobustly securing the tower 120.

The tower 120 may accommodate one or more remains holders such assecondary receptacles, for example urns 160 (see FIGS. 10 and 12), whichhold the remains.

The embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 8 is in general intended to accommodate oneset of remains, for example one urn 160. In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 to8 the receptacle 100 comprises two main parts, the tower 120 and the capmember 108. In general the remains would be provided with identificationmeans by virtue of the placque 130. The family name may be provided onthe band 136.

In this way, a receptacle 100 of the invention would be utilised byfinding a suitable location in which to place it; securing it to theground (or other support) as described above; placing remains, such asan urn 160, within the tower 120; closing the tower using the cap member108, for example utilising fixing screws as described above; andproviding suitable identification means for example on a band 136 and/ora placque 130. In this way the tower is securely fixed in place and theremains are held within a weatherproof receptacle and are thusappropriately preserved.

One of the advantages of the present invention is the relatively smallfootprint it occupies. A further advantage of the present invention isits ability to be extended as required. For example, a group ofassociated people, such as a family, could purchase a receptacle of theinvention to accommodate one set of remains, but extend the receptacleover time to accommodate further remains.

To achieve this, the tower of the invention may further include anextension part and for example be formed by at least three parts, atower part, an extension part, and a closure part such as a cap member.

The tower is modular in nature—any number of extension parts may beemployed. The extension part connects to the tower 120 in a manneranalogous to the cap and apertures 177 provided in the extension partcan be utilised to fix the extension part 170 to the remainder of thetower 120. The extension part 170 is provided with an upstanding wall orrim 178 in a manner analogous to that described above, and it engageswith the cap in a manner analogous to the remainder of the tower 120.Locking means such as fixing screws can be inserted through apertures179 in the upstanding wall and rim 142 securing the cap 108 to theextension part 170. The extension part 170 can optionally carry aplacque 130.

FIG. 9 shows a receptacle 100 of the type shown in FIGS. 4-8, save forthe addition of an extension part 170. The modular units or extensionparts 170 may be formed by one or more side walls that define aperipheral wall for example an annular wall 172. In the embodiment theextension part 170 is open at a top end 174 and bottom end 176.

The embodiment of FIG. 9 is in general intended to accommodate two setsof remains, for example two urns 160. In the embodiment of FIG. 9 thereceptacle 100 comprises three main parts, a tower part 120 similar tothat described above; the extension part 130; and the cap member 108. Ingeneral each remains would be provided with identification means byvirtue of respective placques 130. The family name may be provided onthe band 136.

It will be appreciated that even though reference is made to a tower120, once the extension part 170 is in place, the tower is the structureformed by the original part 120 and the extension part 170.

It will be appreciated that the tower may be provided with a first partintended to accommodate a number of remains, for example one or tworemains, and then an extension part is available for accommodating anysubsequent amount of remains.

For example the receptacle 100 of FIG. 10 is in general intended toaccommodate two sets of remains, for example two urns 160. In theembodiment of FIG. 10 the receptacle 100 comprises two main parts, atower part 120 and the cap member 108. Again each remains would beprovided with identification means by virtue of the respective placques130. The family name may be provided on the band 136. FIG. 10 also showsthe securing of the receptacle of 100 in an upright position asdescribed above.

FIG. 11 shows an exploded sectional view of the receptacle 100 of FIG.9. FIG. 12 shows a similar view to FIG. 9 save that the parts of thereceptacle 100 have now been assembled and three remains holders in theform of three receptacles 160 have been accommodated within thereceptacle 100.

FIGS. 13-15 show respective receptacles 100 of the invention. These arerespectively intended to accommodate two; three; and four sets ofremains. For example the receptacle 100 of the invention shown in FIG.13 comprises a tower part 120; an extension part 170 and a cap member108. FIGS. 14 and 15 respectively differ by having two and threeextension parts. In each receptacle 100 case a placque 130 has beenprovided for the number of remains intended to be accommodated. A band136 is provided for other details such as for example the family name.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show a receptacle 100 which is very similar inconstruction to that of for example FIG. 4. The main difference in thiscase is that instead of a placque 130 a band 180 is provided.

FIG. 18 shows a sectional view of the receptacle 100 of FIGS. 16 and 17along the line A-A (of FIG. 17). This view is very similar to that ofFIG. 6. FIG. 19 shows a sectional view of the receptacle 100 of FIGS. 16and 17 along the line B-B (of FIG. 17). It shows how the band 180 issimilar to the band 136 and is fixed in place using fixing screws 182.

FIGS. 20-22 show respective receptacles 100 which are very similar tothose described in FIGS. 13-15 respectively. In the case of FIGS. 20-22however the respective placques 130 have been replaced with respectivebands 180.

It will be appreciated that the parts of any receptacle 100 of theinvention may interconnect in any way, for example by having a lower endof one part interfit with another. For example one part may overfitanother in a male-female interconnection.

It will be appreciated that it may not be desirable to place a remainsholder, such as an urn 160 on top of another remains holders such as anurn 160. In such a case, the receptacle 100 of the invention may includeadditional supports, such as additional shelves or floors upon which areceptacle holders such as urns can be placed.

While the embodiments of the invention describe a modular system thataccommodate respective remains, it will be appreciated that each part ofthe tower, may itself be a receptacle into which respective remains maybe placed directly and held separately. Those receptacles willessentially function in the same manner as the parts of the receptaclesdescribed above with the additional function that separate compartmentsto hold separate remains separately will be provided within the toweritself.

The receptacles according to the invention take up very little space andcan accommodate a number of cremated remains and also function as adignified memorial. They can be spaced apart from each other givingplenty of space for persons visiting the site.

The words “comprises/comprising” and the words “having/including” whenused herein with reference to the present invention are used to specifythe presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but donot preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, forclarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also beprovided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of the invention which are, for brevity, described in thecontext of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or inany suitable sub-combination.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificdetails described herein which are given by way of example only and thatvarious modifications and alterations are possible without departingfrom the scope of the invention.

1. A receptacle for storing cremated remains, the receptacle comprisingan elongate hollow tower, means for securing the tower in the ground, alockable cover or door for getting access to the interior of theelongate hollow tower and optionally wherein a plurality of crematedremains holders can be stacked on another.
 2. The receptacle accordingto claim 1 wherein the tower is modular, so that it can be extended. 3.The receptacle according to claim 1 wherein the tower comprises modularunits which are stackable.
 4. The receptacle according to claim 1wherein the receptacle comprises a base part, and a closure part; and anextension part, and the extension part fits between the base part andthe closure part to extend the height of the receptacle.
 5. Thereceptacle according to claim 1 wherein the receptacle comprises a basepart, a cap part; and an extension part, and the extension part fitsbetween the base part and the cap part to extend the height of thereceptacle and the cap part fits to the extension part to close thereceptacle.
 6. The receptacle according to claim 1 wherein thereceptacle comprises a base part, a cap part; and a plurality ofextension parts, and the extension parts fit between the base part andthe cap part to extend the height of the receptacle and the cap partfits to an extension part to close the receptacle.
 7. The receptacleaccording to claim 1 wherein the means for securing is an anchoringmeans, for example an anchoring bolt for the tower.
 8. The receptacleaccording to claim 1 wherein an identification means is provided on theexterior surface of the tower so that the identity of the interreddeceased person is visible.
 9. The receptacle according to claim 1wherein the tower is cylindrical in shape.
 10. The receptacle accordingto claim 1 wherein the identification means is in the form of a sleevewhich fits over the tower.
 11. The receptacle according to claim 1wherein the identification means is in the form of a sleeve which fitsover the tower and the sleeve is positioned against the remains of theparticular person.
 12. The receptacle according to claim 1 wherein thereceptacle is manufactured from stainless steel for example polishedstainless steel.
 13. The receptacle according to claim 1 wherein theidentification means is in the form of a placque which is attached tothe tower and optionally the placque is positioned against the remainsof the particular person.
 14. The receptacle according to claim 1wherein the identification means is in the form of a band which isattached to the tower and optionally the band is positioned against theremains of the particular person.
 15. The receptacle according to claim1 wherein the receptacle comprises a base part, and a closure part; andan extension part, and the extension part is itself a container forcremated remains.